Discovering one of the best footwear for Walt Disney World and Disneyland has turn into one in all my theme park white whales. In that pursuit, I’ve realized that “excellent” footwear doesn’t exist. Nonetheless, I’ve gained a ton of expertise and worn out dozens of soles within the course of, and thought I’d share my findings with you right here.
Once more, there isn’t a such factor as “excellent” footwear for Walt Disney World. Like footwear itself, there are two elements to this. The primary is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all dream shoe. Private choice, particular person consolation, and the distinctive contours of your ft and physique are big elements. In the event that they weren’t, the scientists would’ve simply perfected footwear a long time in the past and there’d be one pair of footwear everybody wears. As an alternative, there are 1000’s.
Second, it’s all about tradeoffs. This has been a tough lesson that I’ve realized when chasing my different theme park white whale, which is pictures. No lens, digicam physique, or tripod is ideal–all of them include compromises. With footwear, these embrace weight, cushioning, responsiveness, breathability, help, dryness, and so forth.
We’ve been across the block a number of instances with footwear, and each usually put on Nike Free Runs as on a regular basis footwear. Sarah additionally wears a wide range of sandals, however Nike Free Runs are her go-to footwear the overwhelming majority of the time. She usually sticks with the Flyknits, which they haven’t modified because the 2018 mannequin. I additionally actually just like the newer Subsequent/Nature updates, whereas Sarah doesn’t.
I initially began utilizing Nike Free Runs ages in the past to enhance my mechanics, alternating between these for lighter use and Brooks Glycerins for longer runs or days after I’d be on my ft quite a bit. (No complaints about previous pairs of Glycerins, however I’ve tried different kinds of Brooks in the previous couple of years and wasn’t as a lot of a fan.)
Just a few years in the past, circumstances have been such that we weren’t touring in any respect and most of our strolling was restricted to some miles round our neighborhood or, as soon as the parks reopened, laps round EPCOT’s World Showcase. Even after issues received again to regular, these marathon park days have been much less widespread as locals, so Nike Free Runs turned my sole soles.
As soon as we resumed touring, I used to be rapidly “reminded” of the necessity for higher cushioning and help when logging tens of 1000’s of steps day in and time out. That restarted my quest for the proper shoe, which led me to a few very totally different choices…
The primary fruit of that quest is the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers. Over time, this weblog has had a love-hate relationship with Crocs. I believe the conventional clogs are hideous, however the consolation is plain. (I additionally love a variety of the over-the-top Walt Disney World Crocs designs–may as properly lean into the ugliness of the footwear!)
For me, these have the entire regular upsides of Crocs with out (most of?) the hideousness. They’re definitely not going to be noticed throughout Milan Style Week, however they’re far much less eye-catching. They don’t stick out in particular person or in pictures, as an alternative having a impartial or ‘invisible’ look that disappears or blends into the background. In fact, magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, so let’s as an alternative discuss efficiency.
I’ve now area examined the Crocs LiteRide Sneakers extensively on a number of days on each coasts and completely love them. For these acquainted with Crocs, the froth insoles are super-soft, extremely mild, and springy. The Crocs LiteRide Footwear provide sink-in softness whereas placing a little bit of pep in your step, with the attribute consolation of Crocs. (Which means that in case you suppose regular Crocs are snug, you’ll additionally like these; in case you discover regular Crocs uncomfortable, these received’t be what wins you over.)
That’s precisely how I’d write a succinct assessment of Crocs clogs. So probably not something earth-shattering–they’re precisely what you’d count on of regular Crocs. The distinction, from my perspective, is that these are regular footwear. As a lot as I like the consolation of Crocs, I can’t do a full day clocking 20k steps in them. They’re not as responsive as common footwear and my ft have a bit an excessive amount of freedom in them, with the top consequence being blisters.
The Crocs LiteRide Footwear are one of the best of each worlds–the consolation and springy steps of Crocs, coupled with the fashion and construction of footwear. One factor that’s additionally crucial to me in a shoe is pace. This will likely not matter to many individuals, however I would like to have the ability to energy stroll via the parks, engaging in quite a bit throughout Early Entry and knocking out as many rides as attainable on the finish of the evening when wait instances are low. Common Crocs are too loose-fitting and informal for that. The LiteRides will not be–they’re speedy footwear.
Relating to Walt Disney World, one other big promoting level is how footwear deal with warmth, humidity, and storm season. A part of the explanation I like Crocs–and all extra breathable footwear–is as a result of my ft have an unequalled capability to supply appalling odor. This may be TMI, however after sporting most common footwear for a full day in the course of the summer season at Walt Disney World, my socks are primarily poisonous waste. That’s not a problem with Crocs.
Equally as essential, Crocs are quick-drying. Afternoon showers can come out of nowhere at Walt Disney World, and though we’re diligent about watching the climate radar and avoiding spontaneous storms, we nonetheless get caught in them sometimes. I’ve had pairs of footwear completely ruined on account of the one-two punch of my smelly ft and getting (and staying) moist at Walt Disney World. (The truth is, that is how/why most of my footwear have been “retired” over the past a number of years.)
With the Crocs LiteRide Footwear, I merely swap out my socks after a day storm and am able to roll. (I’ve mates who put on the LiteRides with out socks; extra energy to those that can try this, however I can’t!) It is a actually massive deal to me and the principle purpose the Crocs LiteRide is now my go-to Walt Disney World shoe for the months of Could via October.
With that stated, I nonetheless received’t put on the Crocs LiteRide on consecutive full days within the parks. It’s not that I’ve tried and have had unfavorable outcomes, I’m simply not keen to danger it. There are areas of the uppers the place the material meets the mesh that appears and feels to me prefer it’d be a recipe for blisters if worn too often or with out socks. Your mileage could range on that, although. I don’t put on common Crocs with out socks, both.
I additionally don’t at the moment plan on sporting Crocs LiteRides for November via April. I believe Crocs LiteRide Footwear are essentially the most well-rounded footwear for Walt Disney World, however the entire aforementioned qualities will not be all the time wanted. Different months of the yr, there are extra snug choices that work higher for me.
At present, choose kinds of Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Males) and Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear (for Ladies) are 50% off on Amazon. I don’t know that that is truly a sale, as this deal was accessible after I purchased my first pair a number of months in the past. Regardless, that is the most affordable value I’ve seen and we simply picked up a pair for Sarah to check out. As all the time, we obtain a small fee from Amazon out of your purchases, so shopping for via these hyperlinks helps help the positioning. Nevertheless, neither the worth you pay nor our suggestions (or lack thereof) are impacted by that.
For the opposite days after I don’t want the Crocs qualities, I’ve gone in a completely totally different course: Adidas Ultraboost. I had heard individuals singing the praises of the Increase foam for years, however frankly, discovered the model’s footwear a bit ugly and was skeptical that Adidas may truly ship. Quick ahead to final fall and I lastly pulled the set off on a ‘pop-culture’ pair of Boosts that I assumed truly seemed good…mere days earlier than the affiliated designer lastly and absolutely went off the deep finish. Good timing.
Nonetheless, the consolation of the Boosts was instantly obvious and I opted to put on them throughout our month-long journey to Japan. One of the best ways to explain Boosts is springy but gentle. The footwear provide an amazing quantity of cushioning and are plush in consequence, however one way or the other additionally provide responsiveness and pace. They’re maybe essentially the most paradoxical shoe I’ve ever worn, like an especially exaggerated model of Crocs.
After logging at the least 20,000 steps per day in the identical pair of Boosts over the course of a whole month, my ft nonetheless felt nice. For his or her half, the footwear additionally nonetheless seemed nice—they’re sturdy and grippy along with being bouncy. I’m now a Increase believer, and utterly get the cult-like following.
I’ve had different footwear that ‘borrow’ from the Increase playbook, together with the Nike React Infinity and ZoomX, in addition to Brooks trainers with their DNA know-how. These are all nice footwear, however none even come near rivaling what Adidas has achieved with the Ultraboost. The choices from Nike and Brooks are sturdy–and I undoubtedly favor Nike Flyknit materials–however the consolation didn’t examine.
The entire footwear I’ve had between these two manufacturers both skewed in the direction of softness or responsiveness. They didn’t do each just like the Boosts. (Completely totally different fashion, however about the one footwear I like in addition to Boosts are Nike Air VaporMax Flyknits. Sadly, somebody has stated she received’t exit in public with me if I’m sporting these.)
With that stated, there are some drawbacks–at the least for me. My Boosts are heavy and clunky, and even with the extra breathable primeknit higher, they’re nonetheless too hefty and thick for me to put on to Walt Disney World in the summertime (when the Crocs come out to play). Not all Ultraboosts are like this–many have a sleeker profile and use thinner materials for even higher breathability.
Talking of which, this has been the dealbreaker for me with Hoka. I’ve heard nothing however good issues about these footwear, and a seemingly ever-increasing variety of Disney followers swear by Hoka. I don’t doubt the refrain of reward for its consolation, however the thicker higher makes them a tricky promote for me. The Florida warmth and humidity paired with my ft’s terrible capability to sweat and produce odious odors is just too a lot. On Clouds is one other similarly-styled up-and-coming model that’s additionally probably value testing. I hope each provide varieties with Flyknit fashion uppers sooner or later; I’d love to present them a shot.
In the end, as ought to be apparent right here…or from buyer evaluations…or just the vary of footwear accessible in several kinds and shapes…there isn’t a excellent shoe answer. Nevertheless, I’ve been extremely happy with the Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Footwear, and admittedly a bit shocked at how properly they mix the strengths of Crocs and common footwear, whereas eliminating lots of the drawbacks at a comparatively cheap value.
Not less than for me, that makes them near the proper footwear for Walt Disney World, with one of the best steadiness of qualities and compromises for visiting the months of the yr when Central Florida is scorching and/or moist. (Learn: most months!) Given what number of Disney followers additionally appear to like Crocs, we figured sharing a heads up about this new-to-us shoe line from the favored model was value sharing. For many who are vehemently anti-Crocs, hopefully a few of our different suggestions and ideas on footwear that work greatest for us at Walt Disney World and past proved helpful to you!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you must know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite footwear for Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Do you go for particular footwear that gives added consolation, help, or springiness when doing the parks, or simply your ‘regular’ footwear? Have you ever tried the assorted sorts of Crocs within the parks? Did you want or dislike their efficiency? Do you prioritize operate over style, or vice-versa? Any choices that carry out notably properly within the scorching, humid, and moist climate of Central Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!